Device including interchangeable port opening docking mechanisms, and associated systems and methods

Abstract

A representative device includes a housing having a common port opening, a first connecting element carried by the housing and positioned to connect with a corresponding first spacecraft connecting structure having a first configuration, and a second connecting element carried by the housing and positioned to connect with a corresponding second spacecraft connecting structure having a second configuration different than the first configuration. At least one of the first and second connecting elements is moveable relative to the other between an operational position and a non-operational position, and each of the first and second connecting elements, when connected to the corresponding first or second spacecraft connecting structure, is positioned to allow transport through the common port opening.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A spacecraft system, comprising:
 a connecting device, the connecting device including:
 a housing having a common port opening; 
 a first connecting element carried by the housing and configured to connect with a corresponding first spacecraft connecting structure having a first configuration; and 
 a second connecting element independent from the first connecting element and carried by the housing, in a position that is radially outward from the first connecting element, and configured to connect with a corresponding second spacecraft connecting structure having a second configuration independent from the first configuration; 
   wherein at least one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element is moveable relative to the other between an operational position in which the first connecting element projects from the second connecting element and a non-operational position in which the first connecting element is recessed with respect to the second connecting element; and   wherein each of the first connection element and the second connecting element, when connected to the corresponding first spacecraft connection structure or the second spacecraft connecting structure, is configured to allow transport through the common port opening.   
     
     
         2 . The spacecraft system of  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are concentrically located relative to the common port opening. 
     
     
         3 . The spacecraft system of  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting element is positioned concentrically inwardly with respect to the second connecting element. 
     
     
         4 . The spacecraft system of  claim 1 , wherein the common port opening is positioned around a transport axis, and wherein the first connecting element is extendible and retractable along a motion axis that is parallel to the transport axis. 
     
     
         5 . The spacecraft system of  claim 4 , further comprising a driver to extend and retract the first connecting element along the motion axis. 
     
     
         6 . The spacecraft system of  claim 5 , wherein the driver includes:
 a nut carried by the first connecting element;   a screw threadably engaged with the nut; and   an actuator coupled to the screw to rotate the screw and drive the nut axially along the motion axis.   
     
     
         7 . The spacecraft system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacecraft, and wherein the connecting device is attached to and carried by the spacecraft. 
     
     
         8 . The spacecraft system of  claim 7 , wherein the spacecraft includes a fuel tank. 
     
     
         9 . The spacecraft system of  claim 7 , wherein the spacecraft includes a habitat module. 
     
     
         10 . The spacecraft system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacecraft includes a fuel tank that is convertible in space to a habitat module. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 a connecting device, the connecting device including:
 a housing having a common port opening; 
 a first connecting element carried by the housing and positioned to connect with a corresponding first spacecraft connecting structure having an International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM) configuration; and 
 a second connecting element carried by the housing, in a position that is radially outward from the first connecting element, and positioned to connect with a corresponding second spacecraft connecting structure having an Active Common Berthing Mechanism (ACBM) configuration; 
   wherein at least one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element is moveable relative to the other between an operational position in which the first connecting element projects from the second connecting element and a non-operational position in which the first connecting element is recessed with respect to the second connecting element; and   wherein each of the first connecting element and the second connecting element, when connected to the corresponding first spacecraft connecting structure or second spacecraft connecting structure, is positioned to allow transport through the common port opening.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are concentrically located relative to the common port opening. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a spacecraft, and wherein the connecting device is attached to and carried by the spacecraft. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a flange positioned concentrically outwardly from the first connecting element;   a first seal at an interface between the flange and the housing;   a second seal on an outer surface of the first connecting element, the second seal configured to seal the first connecting element to the corresponding first spacecraft connecting structure; and   a third seal on an outer surface of the second connecting element, the third seal configured to seal the second connecting element to the corresponding second spacecraft connecting structure.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a controller; and   a driver, wherein the controller implements instructions to control the driver to move the first connecting element between the operational position and the non-operational position.   
     
     
         16 . A connecting device, comprising:
 a housing having a common port opening;   a first connecting element carried by the housing and configured to connect with a corresponding first spacecraft connecting structure having a first configuration;   a second connecting element independent from the first connecting element and carried by the housing, in a position that is radially outward from the first connecting element, and positioned to connect with a corresponding second spacecraft connecting structure having a second configuration independent from the first configuration;   a driver configured to extend and retract the first connecting element relative to the second connecting element; and   a controller configured to execute instructions to control movement of the driver;   wherein each of the first connecting element and the second connecting element, when connected to the corresponding first spacecraft connecting structure or the second spacecraft connecting structure, is positioned to allow transport through the common port opening.   
     
     
         17 . The connecting device of  claim 16 , wherein the first connecting element is positioned in an operational position when the first connecting element projects from the second connecting element and the first connecting element is positioned in a non-operational position when the first connecting element is recessed with respect to the second connecting element. 
     
     
         18 . The connecting device of  claim 16 , wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are concentrically located relative to the common port opening. 
     
     
         19 . The connecting device of  claim 16 , wherein the common port opening is positioned around a transport axis, and wherein the first connecting element is extendible and retractable along a motion axis that is parallel to the transport axis. 
     
     
         20 . The connecting device of  claim 19 , wherein the driver includes:
 a nut carried by the first connecting element;   a screw threadably engaged with the nut; and   an actuator coupled to the screw to rotate the screw and drive the nut axially along the motion axis.